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Desert Rose #1
Shifting Sands
With the twist of a knife, revenge is born…
In a world scorched by sand and sun, twenty-four-year-old Gin’s owner trained her as a master assassin. But when he ordered her to murder her former betrothed, she refused and fled. Trapped between her furious owner and murderous ex-fiancée, Gin finds herself captured, drugged, and abandoned at the far edge of the realm with no idea which of the two men is responsible. But one thing is for certain—they’re both going to pay, even if she has to kill everyone and burn anything that remains.
Her one hope in her quest for revenge is the newly deposed elven crown prince, Divinius Morganis. He has the funds and the political clout to bring her owner, her former beau, and the entire Obronian aristocracy to their knees. But her reluctant ally isn’t used to doing things under-the-table, and Divinius may break before he bends his moral code for her.
Gin must trust Divinius and help him reclaim his throne, so he can repay the favor with the army she desperately needs to overthrow her master and return the knife to her former lover’s back—where it belongs, so she can finally gain her freedom. But trusting him may mean relinquishing not just her quest for revenge, but her heart, as well.
No one betrays Gin and lives.
Shifting Sands is a slow-burn romantasy with betrayal, revenge, elves and assassins, and morally grey characters.
In a world scorched by sand and sun, twenty-four-year-old Gin’s owner trained her as a master assassin. But when he ordered her to murder her former betrothed, she refused and fled. Trapped between her furious owner and murderous ex-fiancée, Gin finds herself captured, drugged, and abandoned at the far edge of the realm with no idea which of the two men is responsible. But one thing is for certain—they’re both going to pay, even if she has to kill everyone and burn anything that remains.
Her one hope in her quest for revenge is the newly deposed elven crown prince, Divinius Morganis. He has the funds and the political clout to bring her owner, her former beau, and the entire Obronian aristocracy to their knees. But her reluctant ally isn’t used to doing things under-the-table, and Divinius may break before he bends his moral code for her.
Gin must trust Divinius and help him reclaim his throne, so he can repay the favor with the army she desperately needs to overthrow her master and return the knife to her former lover’s back—where it belongs, so she can finally gain her freedom. But trusting him may mean relinquishing not just her quest for revenge, but her heart, as well.
No one betrays Gin and lives.
Shifting Sands is a slow-burn romantasy with betrayal, revenge, elves and assassins, and morally grey characters.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
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December 12, 2025 dnf 40%
Divinius is an insufferable character. He is so insufferable that I am convincing myself he cannot be the love interest, that this must be a found family situation, and that it was Orion all along. Divinius doesn't have any redeeming characteristics. A bold claim, and yet, truthful. He is pretentious, stubborn, classist, unempathetic and just plain stupid.
This book is told in dual POV, with Divinius being the secondary POV. His chapters are meant to give me insight into his thoughts, feelings and make the reader more empathic, more aware of his experiences and biases'. His perspective confirmed my utter dislike for him.
I really want to be a cool girl and be able to read books with unlikable characters but I am not that evolved yet, and I like what I like and I dislike what I dislike.
Gin was a great character, with depth and heart. I wanted to continue with that story line.
I didn't expect this to be a portal fantasy. I wanted to stay in the desert.
I wanted a story about revenge, and gaining freedom and autonomy from the people oppressing Gin. This was a portal fantasy that turned into a journey book, removing Gin from her situation with no chance for revenge. The revenge story is more of a teaser, and I guess it happens later on in the book or even the next one. I don't have the time or patience for that.
This is definitely a book that many people will like. Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me.
**I was provided with an ARC from the author (via Booksirens) in exchange for an honest review **
Divinius is an insufferable character. He is so insufferable that I am convincing myself he cannot be the love interest, that this must be a found family situation, and that it was Orion all along. Divinius doesn't have any redeeming characteristics. A bold claim, and yet, truthful. He is pretentious, stubborn, classist, unempathetic and just plain stupid.
This book is told in dual POV, with Divinius being the secondary POV. His chapters are meant to give me insight into his thoughts, feelings and make the reader more empathic, more aware of his experiences and biases'. His perspective confirmed my utter dislike for him.
I really want to be a cool girl and be able to read books with unlikable characters but I am not that evolved yet, and I like what I like and I dislike what I dislike.
Gin was a great character, with depth and heart. I wanted to continue with that story line.
I didn't expect this to be a portal fantasy. I wanted to stay in the desert.
I wanted a story about revenge, and gaining freedom and autonomy from the people oppressing Gin. This was a portal fantasy that turned into a journey book, removing Gin from her situation with no chance for revenge. The revenge story is more of a teaser, and I guess it happens later on in the book or even the next one. I don't have the time or patience for that.
This is definitely a book that many people will like. Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me.
**I was provided with an ARC from the author (via Booksirens) in exchange for an honest review **
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December 7, 2025
Shifting Sands reached out and grabbed me from the first page. The desert heat, the sand-scorched land, and the danger lurking behind every sun-baked alleyway made this world feel real and ruthless. It’s a story where you know trust is rare and betrayal can come from anywhere. I was hooked.
Gin is a tough, smart, and broken heroine whose survival instinct hits hard. She refuses the life her master tries to force on her and fights for her freedom with everything she has. When she crosses paths with the deposed elven prince Divinius Morganis she’s thrust into a wild gamble to help him reclaim his throne so she can get her revenge. Divinius has his own demons and doubts, but together, their wary alliance give the story a pulse. Their chemistry is slow burn, and messy in the best way. I cared about them. I cared about what they had to lose and what they might gain.
The pacing generally keeps things moving. Danger comes quick, stakes rise fast, and there’s little room to catch your breath. That energy works for much of the book and kept me turning pages without thinking.
The worldbuilding stands out for how it blends harshness with beauty. The desert landscape with its hot sand, shifting dunes, ruthless sun, becomes a character itself. There is magic, revenge, elven lineage, and assassin codes that create a gritty framework for everything. That makes the world feel lived in and dangerous, exactly what this story needs.
Overall, Shifting Sands delivers a bold mix of revenge plot, rough beauty, and complicated romance in a world that does not forgive weakness easily. It grabbed my attention, kept me invested, and left me hungry for book two. If you like gritty fantasy, morally grey choices, and protagonists who refuse to bow down, this one is worth the ride
Gin is a tough, smart, and broken heroine whose survival instinct hits hard. She refuses the life her master tries to force on her and fights for her freedom with everything she has. When she crosses paths with the deposed elven prince Divinius Morganis she’s thrust into a wild gamble to help him reclaim his throne so she can get her revenge. Divinius has his own demons and doubts, but together, their wary alliance give the story a pulse. Their chemistry is slow burn, and messy in the best way. I cared about them. I cared about what they had to lose and what they might gain.
The pacing generally keeps things moving. Danger comes quick, stakes rise fast, and there’s little room to catch your breath. That energy works for much of the book and kept me turning pages without thinking.
The worldbuilding stands out for how it blends harshness with beauty. The desert landscape with its hot sand, shifting dunes, ruthless sun, becomes a character itself. There is magic, revenge, elven lineage, and assassin codes that create a gritty framework for everything. That makes the world feel lived in and dangerous, exactly what this story needs.
Overall, Shifting Sands delivers a bold mix of revenge plot, rough beauty, and complicated romance in a world that does not forgive weakness easily. It grabbed my attention, kept me invested, and left me hungry for book two. If you like gritty fantasy, morally grey choices, and protagonists who refuse to bow down, this one is worth the ride
December 7, 2025
Shifting Sands by Michelle A Darnell is a slow burn fantasy-romance set in a world with mages and non-magic people. Our heroine "Gin" is an slave assassin for one of many warlords that have taken over her country of Obron. Her royal family was killed in the takeover and Gin aka "Desert Rose" was made slave to Akre and is forced to do his bidding. When the book opens, Gin is sent to kill another warlord. Once there, she discovers that said warlord was her once betrothed Orien. Instead of her ending him, she is nearly killed in the process. She retreats to a bar to recover and through a set of circumstances is teleported to another country.
Divinius is a mage who also happens to be the heir apparent to the Elvin kingdom of Elysia. On the day in question, his mother is holding a ball where she expects him to choose a bride from a set list of women. He would rather be practicing his spells. During the ball a strange mage begins to do magic and someone shouts out that the king has been assassinated. Before Divinius can do anything, he is teleported out of the country...where he meets with Gin. Thus begins a journey to find out what happened in both of their respective countries that caused them to be sent away.
This book had a lot of potential. There were just a few things that kept it from getting a higher grade from me. While there were dimensions to Gin's character, it was sometimes hard to see them. Revenge was always on her mind, but it was also always being reiterated in the narrative - maybe a little too much. We know a little about her background but it takes forever to learn any more and that was a negative in my opinion. I think the author did a much better job of drawing the character of Divinius. He is spoiled and privileged and clueless about how any other class lives. At his core, he is a good man, but that privilege sometimes makes him seem selfish (which he isn't). What bothered me about both is that their histories were very thin on the ground and it made it harder to understand the characters. The best part of the book was the burgeoning friendship between Gin and Divinius. While not the best of romantasy on the market, this book is still worth a read.
**Many thanks to Booksirens and Hidden Lake Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Divinius is a mage who also happens to be the heir apparent to the Elvin kingdom of Elysia. On the day in question, his mother is holding a ball where she expects him to choose a bride from a set list of women. He would rather be practicing his spells. During the ball a strange mage begins to do magic and someone shouts out that the king has been assassinated. Before Divinius can do anything, he is teleported out of the country...where he meets with Gin. Thus begins a journey to find out what happened in both of their respective countries that caused them to be sent away.
This book had a lot of potential. There were just a few things that kept it from getting a higher grade from me. While there were dimensions to Gin's character, it was sometimes hard to see them. Revenge was always on her mind, but it was also always being reiterated in the narrative - maybe a little too much. We know a little about her background but it takes forever to learn any more and that was a negative in my opinion. I think the author did a much better job of drawing the character of Divinius. He is spoiled and privileged and clueless about how any other class lives. At his core, he is a good man, but that privilege sometimes makes him seem selfish (which he isn't). What bothered me about both is that their histories were very thin on the ground and it made it harder to understand the characters. The best part of the book was the burgeoning friendship between Gin and Divinius. While not the best of romantasy on the market, this book is still worth a read.
**Many thanks to Booksirens and Hidden Lake Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2025
Shifting Sands By:Michelle A. Darnell
3.5⭐️
0/10🌶️
Shifting Sands is a fast-paced fantasy adventure that hops across deserts, jungles, oceans, and ancient cities with a focus on movement and momentum. At its heart is Gin; an assassin with a brutal past and a carefully crafted persona she clings to even when loneliness cracks through. She’s easily the strongest part of the story and the character who kept me turning the pages.
The book sets up a lot of intriguing elements; mystery, magic, political tension and the potential for a sprawling world is definitely there. The adventure itself is fun, quick, and easy to sink into, though I often found myself wanting more development, more emotional buildup, and more payoff from the setups sprinkled through the journey.
There are a few flickers of interest and a little bit of wary chemistry, but it stays very light and only becomes central to the plot towards at the end. Setting our FMC up in an interesting position for the next book.
Overall, Shifting Sands is an enjoyable, straightforward fantasy romp with a compelling heroine and a globe-spanning sense of adventure. If you like character-driven leads, hints of vulnerability behind a sharp exterior, and stories that prioritize movement over slow-burn detail, this one might hit the spot.
3.5⭐️
0/10🌶️
Shifting Sands is a fast-paced fantasy adventure that hops across deserts, jungles, oceans, and ancient cities with a focus on movement and momentum. At its heart is Gin; an assassin with a brutal past and a carefully crafted persona she clings to even when loneliness cracks through. She’s easily the strongest part of the story and the character who kept me turning the pages.
The book sets up a lot of intriguing elements; mystery, magic, political tension and the potential for a sprawling world is definitely there. The adventure itself is fun, quick, and easy to sink into, though I often found myself wanting more development, more emotional buildup, and more payoff from the setups sprinkled through the journey.
There are a few flickers of interest and a little bit of wary chemistry, but it stays very light and only becomes central to the plot towards at the end. Setting our FMC up in an interesting position for the next book.
Overall, Shifting Sands is an enjoyable, straightforward fantasy romp with a compelling heroine and a globe-spanning sense of adventure. If you like character-driven leads, hints of vulnerability behind a sharp exterior, and stories that prioritize movement over slow-burn detail, this one might hit the spot.
January 7, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. The story pulled me in from the start. We follow Gin, a deposed princess of the human realm, turned slave, turned renowned assassin. She is gutsy, scrappy, smart, cunning, and ruthless. We soon meet Divinius, elven prince and mage. He is beautiful, powerful, and influential, and he knows it.
Betrayal throws these two together. We follow them as they work to uncover the plots that lead to their betrayal.
Both Gin and Div are wonderful characters. He sees her as beneath him. She sees him as spoiled and annoying. But they need eachother to survive. As they journey together, they begin to see the strengths of the other. Grudging respect turns to admiration, then trust, and finally a connection.
It was great reading Gin kick ass wherever she went. And Div was not to be outdone. His mage powers came in clutch often.
The story was fast-paced and fun to read. The world-building was well done. This was more fantasy than romance, which I quite enjoyed. The story kept me wondering where the author would take the story next.
I hadn't expected the ending and am now invested to know - what happens next!
If you like high fantasy with a strong female lead and her charming, loveable male lead, I would highly recommend this book.
Betrayal throws these two together. We follow them as they work to uncover the plots that lead to their betrayal.
Both Gin and Div are wonderful characters. He sees her as beneath him. She sees him as spoiled and annoying. But they need eachother to survive. As they journey together, they begin to see the strengths of the other. Grudging respect turns to admiration, then trust, and finally a connection.
It was great reading Gin kick ass wherever she went. And Div was not to be outdone. His mage powers came in clutch often.
The story was fast-paced and fun to read. The world-building was well done. This was more fantasy than romance, which I quite enjoyed. The story kept me wondering where the author would take the story next.
I hadn't expected the ending and am now invested to know - what happens next!
If you like high fantasy with a strong female lead and her charming, loveable male lead, I would highly recommend this book.
December 5, 2025
Desert Rose is quick to stand up for the underdog, even if it means jumping in over her head without thinking first. (Which she does a lot) She's known as the best assassin in the realm, but is enslaved to the bloodthirsty Warlord, Akre, who she believes overthrew and killed her family.
Dinivius Morganis III, Crown Prince of the Fae Realm and Holder of the Seven Orbs of Femora is the most eligible bachelor in Elysia is more interested in books than ogling beautiful maidens at balls. Div thinks before he acts, but has been sheltered from reality by his royal status.
Two people from different worlds, betrayed by people they trusted, ripped apart from their kingdoms and thrown together by magic. Can they work together to discover the betrayer and the agenda?
These two characters are polar opposites; Div thinks before he acts and D.R. jumps in wholeheartedly without wasting time on repercussions. I enjoyed their bickering, and I’m excited to see how these characters and their world develop in future books.
⚔️Magic
⚔️Multiple POV
⚔️Morally Grey FMC
⚔️Banter
⚔️Sea Monsters
⚔️Butt kicking action
⚔️Betrayal
Dinivius Morganis III, Crown Prince of the Fae Realm and Holder of the Seven Orbs of Femora is the most eligible bachelor in Elysia is more interested in books than ogling beautiful maidens at balls. Div thinks before he acts, but has been sheltered from reality by his royal status.
Two people from different worlds, betrayed by people they trusted, ripped apart from their kingdoms and thrown together by magic. Can they work together to discover the betrayer and the agenda?
These two characters are polar opposites; Div thinks before he acts and D.R. jumps in wholeheartedly without wasting time on repercussions. I enjoyed their bickering, and I’m excited to see how these characters and their world develop in future books.
⚔️Magic
⚔️Multiple POV
⚔️Morally Grey FMC
⚔️Banter
⚔️Sea Monsters
⚔️Butt kicking action
⚔️Betrayal
November 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I was interested from the first page and the story kept me interested the entire way through.
The FMC, Gin, is a morally-grey, assassin with a traumatic past who is determined to have her revenge. She meets Divinius, a fae prince, who has been displaced from his kingdom. Together they overcome many obstacles including betrayals, crossing oceans, and traversing through jungles.
While Gin and Divinius become friends through their many trials and tribulations, the “romance” is extremely slow almost to the point of non-existent until the last few chapters of the book. If you are a spice reader then this may not be the book for you as there is no spice at all.
This book brings a mixture of magic, court politics, and a slow burn. I appreciated that the author included a glossary of character and terms for the magic. The ending leaves you on a mild cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the next book hoping to see the romance between Gin and Divinius grow and to see if Gin will get her revenge.
The FMC, Gin, is a morally-grey, assassin with a traumatic past who is determined to have her revenge. She meets Divinius, a fae prince, who has been displaced from his kingdom. Together they overcome many obstacles including betrayals, crossing oceans, and traversing through jungles.
While Gin and Divinius become friends through their many trials and tribulations, the “romance” is extremely slow almost to the point of non-existent until the last few chapters of the book. If you are a spice reader then this may not be the book for you as there is no spice at all.
This book brings a mixture of magic, court politics, and a slow burn. I appreciated that the author included a glossary of character and terms for the magic. The ending leaves you on a mild cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the next book hoping to see the romance between Gin and Divinius grow and to see if Gin will get her revenge.
December 1, 2025
Shifting Sands by Michelle A. Darnell – Review
I was hooked from the very beginning of Shifting Sands. The magic system built around the protagonist’s tattoo felt fresh and unique—at least totally new to me—and immediately pulled me deeper into the world. This poor girl has survived a brutal past full of betrayal, and following her story was both heartbreaking and exhilarating.
I’m always a sucker for a good assassin book, and this one delivered. I loved that the plot wasn’t overwhelmed by romance; instead, it blends action, danger, and fight scenes with a perfectly balanced slow-burn connection.
Her forced journey with Divinius was one of my favorite dynamics. At first, he’s basically the equivalent of an infuriating sibling reckless, stubborn, and constantly getting them into more trouble. But as the story unfolds, he really grows on her (and on me!). Their tension and banter added so much life to the story.
Fast-paced, full of conflict, and with a slow burn that keeps you rooting for more, Shifting Sands was an incredibly fun read from start to finish.
I was hooked from the very beginning of Shifting Sands. The magic system built around the protagonist’s tattoo felt fresh and unique—at least totally new to me—and immediately pulled me deeper into the world. This poor girl has survived a brutal past full of betrayal, and following her story was both heartbreaking and exhilarating.
I’m always a sucker for a good assassin book, and this one delivered. I loved that the plot wasn’t overwhelmed by romance; instead, it blends action, danger, and fight scenes with a perfectly balanced slow-burn connection.
Her forced journey with Divinius was one of my favorite dynamics. At first, he’s basically the equivalent of an infuriating sibling reckless, stubborn, and constantly getting them into more trouble. But as the story unfolds, he really grows on her (and on me!). Their tension and banter added so much life to the story.
Fast-paced, full of conflict, and with a slow burn that keeps you rooting for more, Shifting Sands was an incredibly fun read from start to finish.
November 20, 2025
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Desert Rose
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Fantasy romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Betrayal, Magic, Elves, forced proximity, slow burn
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Gin and Divinius become an unlikely pair when they are forced to rely on each other to return home safely.
🌶 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 0/5
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Desert Rose; what a name Gin made for herself. She must prove her worth time and time again, but she has a secret that no one ever expected from this “low life” assassin. This book had some interesting language for their magic use; humans and elves alike shared some common language when it came to magic use. Her quest for revenge is derailed when she meets Divinius who becomes her new bestie. Divinius is a little useless but eventually shows his worth which felt like it took forever. When I say slow burn there is no other way to describe it because it is very much turtle speed slow burn. If spice is your thing this book probably is not for you but the adventure this book takes you on is well worth it.
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Fantasy romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Betrayal, Magic, Elves, forced proximity, slow burn
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Gin and Divinius become an unlikely pair when they are forced to rely on each other to return home safely.
🌶 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 0/5
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Desert Rose; what a name Gin made for herself. She must prove her worth time and time again, but she has a secret that no one ever expected from this “low life” assassin. This book had some interesting language for their magic use; humans and elves alike shared some common language when it came to magic use. Her quest for revenge is derailed when she meets Divinius who becomes her new bestie. Divinius is a little useless but eventually shows his worth which felt like it took forever. When I say slow burn there is no other way to describe it because it is very much turtle speed slow burn. If spice is your thing this book probably is not for you but the adventure this book takes you on is well worth it.
November 29, 2025
I loved this story. The world building, the diverse and thoroughly believable cast, the steady plot that keeps you turning the pages and most of all the dynamic between the two main characters Gin (Desert Rose), and Div (Divinius the Elf Prince), all leave you wanting more.
Swiped without warning just at a time when their lives are in critical peril, Gin and Div find themselves in a distant country with only the clothes and weapons they are standing up in. They have to overcome their vast cultural differences in order to devise a way home. Forming an unlikely partnership, and with different agendas, they have to overcome an array of obstacles, and enemies to achieve their goals – Div to take up his throne and Gin to seek revenge – each will have a role to play to aid the other. A must read.
Swiped without warning just at a time when their lives are in critical peril, Gin and Div find themselves in a distant country with only the clothes and weapons they are standing up in. They have to overcome their vast cultural differences in order to devise a way home. Forming an unlikely partnership, and with different agendas, they have to overcome an array of obstacles, and enemies to achieve their goals – Div to take up his throne and Gin to seek revenge – each will have a role to play to aid the other. A must read.
December 1, 2025
I loved reading Shifting Sands. Gin is a fascinating character, from her unapologetic opening and all throughout the story as we get to know her better. The relationship developing between her and Divinius has a lot of potential, so I'm hoping we'll see it develop more in the next book. The story itself is fast paced, and set in a rich, immersive world. This book held my attention from the first page to the last, and now I can't wait to read more in the Desert Rose series. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy fantasy adventures with an extremely slow burn romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this book! I don’t know how every book Michelle writes becomes more and more up my alley, but they sure do! I love how much of a girlboss Gin is, I want to kill Akre with my bare hands, and can’t wait to find out more about the Orion situation. I would like to place an order for a Divinius to be delivered to my house ASAP, I need me a mage who always has perfectly coiffed hair. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy romance and can’t wait to see where this series goes!
November 29, 2025
Betrayal and Revenge
This is just the beginning for Gin and Divinius. It was a mix of magic, betrayal and revenge. Everything starts to build as each chapter progresses, the character development and storyline, but we are left on a cliffhanger. While the chemistry between them is magnetic, it's not until the end that things get spicy. I can't wait until the next installment.
I am voluntarily leaving this review.
This is just the beginning for Gin and Divinius. It was a mix of magic, betrayal and revenge. Everything starts to build as each chapter progresses, the character development and storyline, but we are left on a cliffhanger. While the chemistry between them is magnetic, it's not until the end that things get spicy. I can't wait until the next installment.
I am voluntarily leaving this review.
November 30, 2025
Wow, what an amazing read. This book, from the moment I started it, grabbed me and would not let me put it down. This book moves along at a pace that is perfect for the flow of the story making for an enjoyable read. The characters are so real that you feel as though you know them and no matter what you cannot help but love them. This book needs to be read, you will not be disappointed.
January 19, 2026
4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this! I was invested from the beginning. This is a fantasy following the Desert Rose assassin and an Elven Prince. This is just the beginning of this series. I can’t wait for the rest to come together in the next book. I plan to read this entire series regardless of how many books it ends up being. I’m expecting more world building as we continue on in the story.
I really enjoyed this! I was invested from the beginning. This is a fantasy following the Desert Rose assassin and an Elven Prince. This is just the beginning of this series. I can’t wait for the rest to come together in the next book. I plan to read this entire series regardless of how many books it ends up being. I’m expecting more world building as we continue on in the story.
November 25, 2025
1 part revenge
1 part magic
1 part politics
A dash of morally gray and a big heaping spoonful of PSTD. This is well written and snatches you in pretty quickly. I am itching for book two because i know there’s a lot more to this story .
1 part magic
1 part politics
A dash of morally gray and a big heaping spoonful of PSTD. This is well written and snatches you in pretty quickly. I am itching for book two because i know there’s a lot more to this story .
November 27, 2025
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
Desert Rose Obrons fiercest Assassin has been betrayed. She must find out by who and why. Follow along as she meets Divinius who is a Royal Mage and he is also trying to find out who has betrayed his family. The banter between the two main characters is great.
Desert Rose Obrons fiercest Assassin has been betrayed. She must find out by who and why. Follow along as she meets Divinius who is a Royal Mage and he is also trying to find out who has betrayed his family. The banter between the two main characters is great.
November 28, 2025
She has been trained to kill when she is ordered to kill her former ex. Unfortunately it all backfires and she is betrayed but she does not know who. She will go after them and all those who trained her.
See how she gets on
See how she gets on
November 28, 2025
The story for me was entertaining and fun, I didn't have a moment where I was sucked in reading nonstop but I never had a moment where I felt like I didn't want to continue reading. I recommend giving shifting sands a chance if you like fantasy.
November 30, 2025
I found this book a page turner. I could not put it down. the characters were so interesting. It got very dark which I enjoyed. There also was lovely humor in the story too about elf magic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2025
Great fantasy book I enjoyed reading
December 1, 2025
Well done story with a likable main character and a partnership that starts out as a convince thing and slowly becomes something more.
January 25, 2026
This book had me in a chokehold. The tension and teasing were so good, and the miscommunication—while frustrating—made total sense for the characters and their trauma. The layers of betrayal, scheming, and morally gray choices kept me hooked, and I’m desperate for more answers about who was really behind the coup and whether her first love is villain or protector. The dynamic with the prince is deliciously complicated—I want them together so badly, but there’s still so much at stake. I need the next book now.
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